The influence of body size on metabolic rate in Megachile rotundata

Authors: GRULA, COURTNEY - North Dakota State University; GREENLEE, KENDRA - North Dakota State University; Rinehart, Joe; BOWSHER, JULIA - North Dakota State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/24/2019
Publication Date: 11/17/2019
Citation: Grula, C., Greenlee, K.J., Rinehart, J.P., Bowsher, J.H. 2019. The influence of body size on metabolic rate in Megachile rotundata [abstract]. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. Nov. 17-20, 2019. St. Louis, MO. Talk No. 1024.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Megachile rotundata is a commercially-reared, solitary, pollinator used in alfalfa seed production. Adult body size in these solitary bees is variable because it is determined by the quantity of food available to the developing larva. Smaller bees have been shown to be produced in the field under stressful conditions of scarce resources, and the mother can only provide small provisions to the developing offspring. Body size is related to many aspects of a bee’s life history including foraging distance and pollination efficiency. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of body size on metabolic rates, both at rest and during flight. CO2 output was used as an indirect measure of metabolic rate. Body size was manipulated under laboratory conditions by restricting the amount of food provided or providing excess food ad libidum during the fifth instar larval stage producing large, small, and control adult bees. Once adults emerged, resting and tethered flight metabolic rates were measured using flow-through respirometry in large, control, and small bees.